Scene #297:

Owner	Pose
Faruja	After the shock in the maulsoleum where horrid truths were revealed, Faruja Senra needs a bit of normalcy. And what's more normal than shopping with one's love? Having been somehow convinced to wear a simple pair of jeans, and a t-shirt reading 'I <3 Tea', the rat looks like a normal, modern nezumi as he waits on a park bench in Njorun for his lovely lizardess. Occasionally, the rodent offers a wave and a blessing to those he knows who pass by. Every now and then, he grips his cross as he tries to /forget/ for just a few moments. Legs crossed, he keeps a sharp eye out.
Ainsley	And since Faruja has taken to wearing a normal set of modern clothing, Ainsley has, as well! She has a beige pair of pants that seem to fit particularly well, and a blouse and coat combination that is very frilly. Her blouse even has a flower pattern! She has a flower tied into her feathers, and a ribbon tied to the end of her tail. When she arrives at the park, she stops before the rat man, her hands clasped behind her back. "Hello~" she greets, seeming delighted to see him. "You look very awkward in that outfit," she notices, reaching forward to adjust his shirt so she can read it and then touch her nose to his cheek for a peck of a kiss. She gestures for Faruja to lead the way. He might know a few of the local shops, if he knows this area. She doesn't get out much, thanks to her mana dependency.
Faruja	'Awkward'. Faruja sighs a little, muzzle and ears drooping a little. "I feel thrice so. However! For sake of our allies, one must make efforts to blend into the local populace, and learn of their customs that a humble servant of the Lord may better serve their needs!" Pause. "Besides, the Sisters said the shirt suited me. I cannot imagine why." This might be revenge for using one of them as a coat rack. He takes a moment to look her over, and smiles. Frills, and flowers. It suits the lizardess so very well. "Ye, however, take to the look far better. Hello my love." With that, he leans in, smooching her right back before taking her hand. Squeeze. "Shall we?" First stop? A small department store, the rodent peering about curiously at the variety of fashions. Indeed, he looks a little lost, before finding a few shirts. Mostly long-sleeved, turtle-necked variety, and a few dress shirts. Still formal, this rat, when not threatened by snakes!
Ainsley	"You have to pick an outfit that does not compromise your personality," Ainsley tells Faruja, in a gentle sort of voice, reaching to prod him in the chest once on the heart symbol. "This shirt is a joke." She sticks her tongue out, evidently showing her disapproval completely when it's with Faruja. She knows it's not really fitting for Faruja the Fiery Inquisitor. That is why, when they reach the first shop, she is seeking things with Faruja, holding up clothing suggestions as they progress through the selections. "Have there been any new developments, with Ivalice?" she wonders at Faruja, as they shop. She doesn't expect it'll be anything pleasant, but she's gotten to the point where it doesn't matter what topic it is as long as Faruja is there with her. "I'm sorry for being absent for some of the events there. My attention has been on the Abstractum conflicts."
Faruja	Groan. The rat takes the prodding with as much dignity as he can. His brow twitches. "...Nay. 'Tis vengeance." /Definitely/ revenge for the coat rack incident. "Mayhaps a ball of flame instead." Mutters the rat, smiling at Ainsley before pausing. He picks out a few of her suggestions, clearly enjoying formalwear far more than a casual t-shirt. He, too, holds up the occasional sundress, shirt, or skirt, mostly in blues or other floral colors and patterns. "Perfect for a precious flower~." Teases the rodent, ears wiggling. Wince. Faruja can't help but let out a bitter, low chuckle. "/She/ was right, Ainsley. We must both meet with Lord Psyber when we can. Events in Ivalice art more dire than anticipated. Cleyra...gone. Mine people drifting refugees. Alexandria nay doubt still hungry for plunder. Archadia's war efforts continue as they seek a foothold in Ivalice. Still, the Royal Family does nothing, content seemingly to allow the nobility, barely resisting tearing one another part over succession rites to handle the war. Your usual blend of cultists, brigands, other Heretics..." A shake of the head. "However, the Esper Phoenix's temple is secured, and slowly being cleansed. She seems far happier now that the unholy summoner's influence is being wiped away. Mayhaps, with work, she may even accept Summoners anew." "What of the Homeworld?" He asks in turn.
Ainsley	The lizard girl makes poses and examines articles of clothing. She seems to prefer pieces made of a lighter cloth, with plenty of flowery patterns and vine patterns. She even finds a hat with cloth flowers and a little plastic bee sewn into it. It's a very cute, rotund, cartoonish-looking bee. Ainsley is having a lot of fun helping Faruja, and many of her suggestions are for modest pieces of formal wear that have colors like red or black. "There are Legacies, as you may already know. The Homeworld is populated with beings based off of our decisions. This means our decisions have very real consequences that will be difficult to avoid even after the Nodes are secured." She lets out a sigh. "Ariel has found a way to combat her Pure's methods of fighting. Fuki's Node has begun to fall into war, as was expected, but I am on her side for this. I have yet to utilize that book that came into my possession before." She considers, for a moment, a combination of factors. "I have thought about how I will combat Ember. When it comes time to fight him, I do not believe that I will be able to strike him down like I did with the Conquistador. He is too much like myself, and I have seen too much since then that tells me my decision with that warlord may have lacked faith and hope." She ruffles at the feathers on the back of her head, as she regards some shoes. She knows Faruja's feet aren't really built for shoes, so she's daydreaming about which would work for the outfits she suggested.
Faruja	Even with all that's been going on, Faruja finds himself having /fun/. A smile is all but etched onto his features as the pair trade fashion, the rodent laughing as he spies that hat. "A bee for a flower, how perfect~." Grin! The rat tightens up a tie on a shirt he's tried on. A nod. /Perfect/. He'll be sure to wear this on their next, formal date. An ear perks. "Mmm. Therefore, depending upon how our nodes reach their conclusion, we may well hath allies against Them. Or, conversely, enemies." Frown. What would happen if a Node resolved against the creator's wishes? He shivers at the thought. Faruja, too, considers. The rat's tail twines with Ainsley's. "In that case, ye must either deprive him of his ability, or..." Deep breath. "Convince him to surrender. Ye shouldst not strike down a man unless ye truly believe it necessary. The physical battle shall be secondary. 'Tis thine mind, heart, and tongue ye must strengthen, Ainsley. A battle of will, wit, and beliefs. Ye must hold the stronger of the two." A small frown. He knows well how little interaction she's had with emotion and belief, compared to most. A hand rubs her shoulder, and squeezes. "HOwever, I believe with faith in thyself, and thine beliefs, ye may overcome him."
Ainsley	"I am told that by many people. To believe in myself, and my decisions. But what if my decisions are wrong?" Ainsley looks at Faruja, apparently not brooding over it, simply musing over the lofty ideals that she is often exposed to. "Everything in my heart told me that the Conquistador was a lost cause. He was rejected by everyone he knew, and had grown to only be known as a monster and a tyrant. He killed and maimed and oppressed, and even if he found the redemption he was seeking, he would never have been satisfied with it." And then there's a beat. "Ember... He spoke of rejection. Does he reject reality? Has he accepted his place in the Abstractum war so completely that he would become one of their soldiers without a second thought? Surely there is some part of him that would listen if I spoke to him." The lizard girl grasps Faruja's hand, and smiles at him. Faith is something she lacks so much that she hungrily accepts this kind of encouragement. Hope is something that has always escaped her understanding. But she's starting to grasp it. "I am still going to learn how to fight, but I think I have found the path I will walk in the future."
Faruja	"If ye expect thineself to act perfectly, without failure, then ye art doomed. One may only act upon circumstance, belief, and information. Ask thyself if ye acted correctly in accordance with what ye knew and believed at the time." Councels the rodent, nodding to his love. He certainly has his own opinions, and even sympathy, for the fallen man. But right now, it's Ainsley's that matters. "Only he may answer such questions, my dear. I...know men such as he. A zealot." A small smirk. Oh yes, he knows that well. "And rare is it that such a man wouldst rather live in abject failure of their cause. If naught else, he died as such persons aught. For good or ill, doing what they believe in their hearts to be right." A small comfort, perhaps, but the Conquistidor didn't strike Faruja as the kind to simply accept words. Faruja draws her close into a brief, tight hug. "And I shall be right beside ye." Concurs the rat before hefting their choices. "Let us pay the good merchant, hmm?"